Kong's detailed report on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 40 Years Exhibition in Singapore provides a captivating look at the brand's heritage and future vision. This article offers a unique opportunity to experience the exhibition's atmosphere and key takeaways, making it a valuable resource for both long-time collectors and new enthusiasts of the Royal Oak.
The Royal Oak 40 Years Exhibition made its final stop of its world tour in Singapore last week after New York, Milan, Paris, Geneva and Beijing.
A recap for friends and fans of Audemars Piguet and Royal Oak who are unable to attend. ( This post is in two sections, as it is photo-intensive)
Starting with the press session on 9 September morning with a brief introduction by Francois Henry Bennahmias, CEO Ad Interim of Audemars Piguet, Oliviero
Bottinelli, Managing Director of Audemars Piguet Asia amd Sebastien Leon Agneessens, Project & Creative Manger of the Exhibition.
Sebastien Leon Agneessens, Project Manger of the Exhibition with Francois Henry Bennahmias, CEO Ad Interim of Audemars Piguet, Oliviero Bottinelli, Managing Director of Audemars Piguet Asia.
Sebastien gave a brief about using his structural work, Fragments, in the Royal Oak 40 Years Exhibition as showcases for the craft and the Royal Oak collections since 1972. Additional sensory elements were also injected to provide a glimpse of Vallée de Joux with recorded sound of ticking of movement, cow bells,church organ and stunning visuals with long-exposure photography by Dan Holdsworth capturing the landscape of Vallée de Joux in its stillest hours illustrating the passing of time. Another massive work by visual artist, Quayola, video Matter was also featured. His work was chosen as he passed through similar experience as the Royal Oak. Both did work which broke away from the norm (at that time). Forty years ago,the shape of Royal Oak received much scepticism from the world when launched , similarly to Quayola approach to his work.
Several interesting pointers picked up from the Q & A session after the introduction ...
Firstly, the Oliviero Bottinelli, Managing Director of Audemars Piguet Asia is as young as the Royal Oak, born in 1972
Of the total production numbers of 31K pieces per year, Singapore accounts for 10% of volume, and the biggest allocation is to North Asia.
The ROO is currently doing better (in term of number of units sold) than the RO, however, the management intends to have initiatives to beef up the RO in coming years. Also will be actively pursuing to attract the younger prospects and clientele. The shape of RO would evolve and maybe a new shape would be out by 2015.
Next to the venue of the exhibition - the old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station ( not in operation) in shuttle buses which AP has arranged at two convenient meeting points for the public ...
Entering the compound of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station ...
Entering into the exhibition hall ...
Headsets for the tour ...
Inside the station ...the previous platform, which was standby for the celebration parties and a stage for the band...
Oliviero Bottinelli, Managing Director of Audemars Piguet Asia with one of the many Chefs ...
Back to the exhibition hall ....
Upon entering the exhibition hall ...
There are total 6 vitrines ( split from Sebastien Leon Agneessens' structural work - Fragments) hosting specific function :
(1) Watchmaker workshop
(2) to (4) Showcases of Royal Oak Collections since 1972
(5) A video station explaining crafts of watchmaking. Very interesting, must see. Click here to view them.
(6) A unit dedicated to Audemars Piguet providing the history of the brand.
Right ahead is the video of by Quayola, Matter, commissioned by Audemars Piguet for the Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Exhibition ..
A short clip of the " Matter" or for a bigger version, please click here.
Some pictures to give you an idea of the hall housing these six vitrines. Heard that each of this vitrine weighed more than a ton, thus structural engineers were engaged for the project too.
Notice inside the vitrine-showcases, those wavy-shapes running below the watches ... they were supposedly to be the topography of Vallée de Joux ...
These standing poles were to represent the trees of the forest of Vallée de Joux ...
A dedicated vitrine to the brand and also to ...
Mr Gerald Genta
For videos of the watchmaking craft, please click here.
That's the watchmaker section/workshop ...
Exploded view ...
The various components of the monohull case ...
See this short clip of the making of the bracelet ... remarkable!!
The mold and carbon fibre from previously secretive molding process of the forged carbon case ...
To read more about forged carbon molding process, please click here.
Next the dial making section ...
The "tapisserie" guilloche dial requires special skills from the engraver running the near century rose-engine turning machine.
The total time to fabricate one dial from blank to completion requires at least 6 hours.
The bottle-neck seems to be at the front process, the tappisserie guilloche .... to finish one dial it needs 1 hour. So each day, the most it can produce about 8 to 9 dials with one machine. If I did hear correctly, the factory has only 9 such machines.
The "birth year" of this particular rose-turning machine ...
The tapisserie dial by rose-engine which have sunray effect as the dial consists of many tiny squares separated by the criss-crossing grooves..
Someone asked, what if using stamping to speed up the dial making... the experienced engraver, explained they have tried, but the dial will not look lively as there will be no light-play creating the ray-effect. Wonderful person to speak to, very willing to share ... and it seems like he may have found a new process. No details as it is still work-in-progress and confidential
Explaining this near century-old is a masterpiece, a work by a master ... which can engrave any shape or profile (in 3D) with a change of the templates ...
Outside of the Workshop ...
Now for the watches being displayed ( text / description may be updated if I have the information) ...
Starting from the vintage ...
1922 Pocket Watch minute repeater designed for "William H. Hays"
1926 Tonneau shaped wristwatch
1927 Jumping Hour
1928 US $20 Coin watch
Coin was cut horizontally to house a 1.5mm movement.
1940 Chronograph with graduation of pulsations watch
1953 Rectangular asymmetrical wristwatch
1960 Round asymmetrical wristwatch
1962 Oval shaped watch
1970 Oval shaped watch
1971 Skeleton pocket watch set with diamonds
1977 Eliptical shaped wristwatch by Gerald Genta
1978 Extra-plate self winding perpetual calender
1986 Extra flat self-winding tourbillon wristwatch
This message has been edited by Kong on 2012-10-16 10:26:05 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2012-10-16 11:19:52 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2012-10-18 12:59:59
About the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 15305
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak reference 15305 is a notable variant within the Royal Oak line, distinguished by its openworked dial and movement, offering a direct view into the intricate mechanics. This reference represents a more elaborate and technically complex interpretation of the standard Royal Oak, appealing to collectors who appreciate haute horlogerie and the art of skeletonization. It was produced in limited quantities, making it a less common sight compared to its solid-dial counterparts. The openworked design allows for an appreciation of the finishing and architecture of the movement, a hallmark of Audemars Piguet's craftsmanship.
The watch features a 39 mm case crafted from 18k yellow gold, maintaining the classic Royal Oak proportions. It houses the self-winding Caliber 3120, which is meticulously openworked and finished to expose its components. The movement provides a power reserve of 60 hours. A sapphire crystal protects the dial, and the watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, suitable for everyday wear. The fixed octagonal bezel, a signature element of the Royal Oak, is also in 18k yellow gold.
This reference appeals to collectors seeking a Royal Oak with an enhanced level of mechanical artistry and exclusivity. Its openworked nature sets it apart from more common Royal Oak models, positioning it as a piece that highlights Audemars Piguet's technical prowess in movement decoration and design. The 18k yellow gold construction further emphasizes its premium status. While not a double-signed piece as mentioned in the collector's post, the 15305 stands on its own as a significant openworked Royal Oak.
Specifications
Caliber
3120
Case
18k Yellow Gold
Diameter
39 mm
Dial
Blue
Water Resist.
50m
Crystal
Sapphire
Key Points from the Discussion
The exhibition featured the original 1972 Royal Oak Ref. 5402ST, along with other historical pieces like the self-winding Ladies Royal Oak and the 1980 Rectangular Royal Oak, showcasing the model's evolution.
Audemars Piguet plans to increase emphasis on the Royal Oak line over the Royal Oak Offshore, with initiatives to attract younger clientele and potentially introduce a new Royal Oak shape by 2015.
Singapore accounts for 10% of Audemars Piguet's total annual production of 31,000 pieces, with North Asia receiving the largest allocation.
The exhibition incorporated sensory elements like recorded sounds of movement ticking, cowbells, and church organs, alongside visuals from artists like Dan Holdsworth and Quayola, to immerse visitors in the Vallée de Joux.
The management's intention to beef up the Royal Oak line and attract younger prospects is a positive development for the brand.
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The Discussion
KO
Kong
Oct 14, 2012
Part 2 of 2 : Royal Oaks Collection Since 1972
Continued....this set starts with THE 1972 Royal Oak ... Ref 5402ST Self winding Ladies Royal Oak 1980 Rectangular Royal Oak 1983 Ref : 25572/789 1996 Self winding RO tourbillon with date & power reserve 1996 Royal Oak Offshore Ref 25808/D009 1996 RO Perpetual Calender Ref 25820/344 1998 RO Grand Complication Ref 25865/1105 2002 RO City of Sails Ref 25979/D002 2010 RO Equation of Time 2011 RO Diamond Pave 2002 RO Tourbillon Chronograph Ref 25977/1205 Hope you enjoy the pics. Kong
UH
uhren2
Oct 16, 2012
excellent
report Kong and its so good to see random times on pieces rather than boring 10:10(10:12)
KO
Kong
Oct 19, 2012
So I am not the only one ...
who likes to see other time positions :-) Thanks for viewing Uhren2. Kong
AN
Ancienne Le Brassus
Oct 16, 2012
EXCELLENT! THANKS! For taking the time to share this with us! [nt]
KO
Kong
Oct 19, 2012
Hope you like it!
Thanks for the kind words and viewing. Kong
FO
foversta
Oct 16, 2012
Thanks a lot Kong for this comprehensive report!
It reminds me a lot of souvenirs... Fx
Available on the marketplace
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